FXUS65 KTFX 141000 AFDTFX Area Forecast Discussion National Weather Service Great Falls MT 400 AM MDT Wed Aug 14 2024 .SYNOPSIS... The trend for scattered showers and thunderstorms will continue not only today, but through the rest of the work week as well. Some storms could also produce a brief period of heavier rainfall. The chance for storms will diminish a bit this weekend, as warmer afternoon temperatures move back in for a few days. && .DISCUSSION... Today through Friday...A weak westerly flow aloft currently reside over MT. Weak upper level disturbances are trying to move from west to east across the state, but with the flow aloft so weak, the disturbances are moving through very slowly. Thus morning showers/thunderstorms are possible, generally over the far north and far south. Isolated thunderstorms are possible this afternoon, again, but the overall coverage of storms should be less than yesterday. Afternoon temperatures today will not be as warm as yesterday today, but they do warm back up a few degrees for Thursday. Do expect areas of smoke to continue to move in/out over the next few days, with the smoke sometimes coming from the west and then sometimes from the north. Saturday through Wednesday...A bit drier conditions are expected over the weekend, as the flow aloft tries to become more southwesterly. This will allow warmer air to move back into the CWA for a few days, as afternoon highs go a few degrees above normal over portions of the CWA. It will not be completely dry over the CWA this weekend though, with a few thunderstorms possible, especially over far Southwest MT on Sunday. Isolated showers/thunderstorms return to much of the CWA early next week, as the southerly flow will allow for weak upper level disturbance to move northward through the CWA daily. Brusda && .AVIATION... 14/12Z TAF Period Scattered rain showers will affect areas east of Shelby to Harlem through mid morning, along with the southern half of Southwest MT. Some fog/low clouds likely around West Yellowstone, especially towards day break. Otherwise, expect scattered thunderstorms this afternoon, but the coverage will be much less than yesterday. Mountains/passes will be obscured by smoke through the period, with some obscurations due to clouds as well. Brusda Refer to weather.gov/zlc for more detailed regional aviation weather and hazard information. && .PRELIMINARY POINT TEMPS/POPS... GTF 78 54 84 56 / 20 10 10 50 CTB 80 52 81 54 / 20 10 20 60 HLN 81 54 86 56 / 20 10 20 60 BZN 79 48 84 49 / 30 10 10 50 WYS 68 36 74 38 / 70 20 20 60 DLN 74 46 78 46 / 40 10 30 50 HVR 85 58 87 59 / 40 10 10 20 LWT 76 52 81 54 / 30 10 10 30 && .TFX WATCHES/WARNINGS/ADVISORIES... None. && $$ http://www.weather.gov/greatfalls